DeeZunker
FollowViews
845
Likes
Awards
Legendary Award
Summer 2020
Featured
Contest Finalist in Downtown in Black and White Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Top Ranks
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Place St. Michel in Paris, France.Time
It was a cold evening in December.Lighting
It was dusk so the lights were coming on which created a wonderful backdrop to the bubbles. There was also a stream of light that highlighted the little boy admiring the bubbles.Equipment
This was a handheld shot with my D7000 and Tokina 11-16mm lens at f/2.8, 1/25 sec, and 400 ISO.Inspiration
A break in the rain on a cold December evening brought people out at Place St. Michel. This gentleman was entertaining the crowds near Notre Dame creating huge bubbles that children go crazy over. I was interested in capturing different people's faces within the bubbles and had spent about 30 minutes there, before the lights started coming on. I moved myself behind the bubble blower to contrast the bubbles against the lights in the background, when this little boy walked into my frame and completed the scene.Editing
For this image, I did my standard raw processing in Lightroom, and then converted the image to black and white Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. I did some minor dodging and burning on the lady in the white sweater and the boy by the bubbles to help guide the viewers' eyes.In my camera bag
At the time of this image, I was carrying my D7000 with my Tokina 11-16mm, 18-200mm, and a travel tripod. While I carried the 18-200mm with me, all my favorite shots were with the Tokina 11-16mm. I use the Think Tank belt system with a lens skin, and an "All The Other Stuff" bag which includes: SD cards, small umbrella, flashlight, hex keys, remote trigger, lens cloth, band-aids, battery, gaffer tape, pen, notepad. With the belt system, I do not have to set anything down when I am out wondering around. Now for street photography, I carry a single full frame body with a 35mm f/1.8 prime, a 11-16mm Tokina, and a travel tripod. The Tokina is really a DX lens, but at 16mm, I can use it with my full frame camera with slightly soft edges. I like the compactness of the Tokina for street photography versus the full frame ultra wide angle options.Feedback
My best street photography shots tend to happen when I find a stage/background for the action, and then wait for something to happen. In this particular scene, I saw the bubbles, and walked around looking for the best perspective hoping to capture people's faces in the bubbles. I spent about 30 minutes in this one spot knowing there was something there. And then I saw the lights at the perfect spot in the background, and I just waited for something to happen. This particular evening, I was rewarded for my patience.